The Canary Islands remain under the grip of a powerful heatwave, with the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasting another day of high temperatures and calima (dust in suspension) this Wednesday, 17 September. In Gran Canaria, inland areas such as Tejeda could see maximum temperatures soar to 37ºC, while the rest of the archipelago will also experience unusually high readings for this time of year.
General Forecast
Across the islands, the weather will be characterised by mostly clear skies, interrupted by occasional high or medium cloud cover. The calima will be especially dense at mid-altitudes and in the highlands, with dust concentrations exceeding 200 micrograms per cubic metre, raising air quality concerns.
Maritime Conditions
At sea, winds from the east and northeast are forecast at force 5 or 6, occasionally dropping to 3 or 4 in the northeast. This will bring swell or heavy swell, combined with a north swell producing waves up to 2 metres. On the eastern coasts, winds will be lighter, variable between force 1 and 3, with choppier seas.
Forecast by Island
Tenerife
- Skies: Mostly clear, with high and medium cloud intervals. Some low clouds possible in the northeast.
- Precipitation: AEMET does not rule out isolated showers on Mount Teide.
- Calima: Strong, particularly at mid-altitudes and low-lying areas.
- Temperatures: Up to 34ºC in mid-altitude zones and along the southern coast.
La Gomera
- Skies: Predominantly clear with high clouds.
- Calima: Intense at mid-altitudes and peaks, also extending to coastal zones.
- Temperatures: Maximums of 34ºC expected in southern and western midlands.
- Wind: Light from the east, with afternoon breezes.
La Palma
- Skies: Sunny with some high and medium clouds.
- Calima: Present across the island, particularly strong at high altitudes.
- Temperatures: Highs of 34ºC in El Paso and on the western slopes. Night-time lows will remain high, above 26ºC in many areas.
Lanzarote
- Skies: Clear overall, with intervals of cloud in the northeast and east, plus some high cloud.
- Calima: Increasing during the afternoon, affecting even low-lying areas.
- Temperatures: Highs of 32–35ºC, especially inland.
- Wind: Moderate from the northeast.
Fuerteventura
- Skies: Mostly clear with high and medium clouds.
- Calima: Stronger in the afternoon, concentrated at altitude but also descending to coastal and inland areas.
- Temperatures: Between 32 and 35ºC, with night-time lows that may not fall below 25ºC.
- Wind: From the northeast, moderate.
Gran Canaria
- Skies: Clear with occasional high cloud.
- Calima: Widespread, especially in the midlands and peaks of the south, extending into lower areas. Concentrations could surpass 200 microg/m³.
- Temperatures: The most intense heat of the archipelago with highs up to 37ºC in Tejeda, the southern and western midlands. Night-time minimums will stay above 26ºC on the south and west slopes.
Health and Safety Warnings
Authorities continue to urge residents and visitors to:
- Avoid exposure to the sun during midday hours.
- Stay well-hydrated throughout the day.
- Reduce strenuous physical activity in the hottest hours.
- Exercise extreme caution in rural and forested areas, as the risk of fire remains elevated.
This updated forecast highlights the persistence of the heatwave, with no significant relief expected until later in the week.
